epidemiology | so sue me if i'd like to live on island time for a change (OTA)

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so sue me if i'd like to live on island time for a change (OTA)

CHARACTERS: Mettaton + Open
DATE: 3rd day of the festivities, before the party bus departs
WARNINGS: They're watching RHPS again, so someone might honestly get Time-Warped too hard.
SUMMARY: It's the beach party episode.

The chill one. The one where everyone sits around a fire, eats snacks, and watches movies. Don't get too rowdy, now.

Maybe the main party has far too many people. Maybe Mettaton can't go for any length of time near another celebration without making one about himself. Maybe, even after two days of recharging, laying listlessly in his bed, and doing absolutely nothing else, Mettaton is still tired from the horrendous experience that was that last mission and every single event within it, and decided what he truly, desperately needed was to be surrounded by the joy and love of people who did not yet hate him.

Whatever the reason, anyone in good standing with the robot has received an invitation (plus 1) to the training room for "a night of movies and relaxation."

Tucked in a quieter corner of the simulation is a bonfire and a large amount of towels for laying on. A table is set up with simulated food and drinks, ACTUAL food and drinks (obviously pilfered from the banquet), and a selection of dishes Mettaton himself has put the effort into making for his wonderful guests. There are ingredients for s'mores and hot dogs (actual hot dogs, sorry, Sans) and cooking sticks to roast them over the bonfire (that is... simulated. He didn't think that far).

The host himself is set up on a towel in his humanioid-form, wearing an opened, soft pink button-up shirt, black shorts, and a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses. He plays relaxing music from his magictek as he lounges and waits for more guests to arrive. Once he's satisfied with the outcome and everyone has settled, the movies, projected from his jewelcomm and onto a large gray rectangle he's summoned over the ocean, will begin to play.

The movie list is as follows:
The Princess Bride
Clueless
Homeward Bound
The Breakfast Club
The Goonies
Beetlejuice
The Truman Show
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Rocky Horror Picture Show

Anyone who isn't a friend doesn't need to worry about crashing the party: so long as they're respectful of the host, the other guests, and the mood of the party, the more the merrier. But if they start to act up or, god forbid, have already insulted the host prior to crashing, he has no problems tazing and escorting people out first and asking questions never.

So relax. Take a seat. Have a few drinks. Enjoy the show with your friends and neighbors. Try not to scare anyone too bad during that sandworm scene.

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a. BONFIRE

[Peridot remembers Steven roasting the confectionary puff rocks over a fire while they were hunting the corrupted gem. It seemed simple enough, even if she can't eat the result. Of course, the fact that she can't eat the result means that she's been holding a marshmallow over the fire so long it's turned black and disgusting and inedible. She doesn't seem to care. The act of holding it over the fire surrounded by people she enjoys seems to promote a sense of belonging and comfort.

She quite enjoys this bonfire thing.

b. MOVIE TIME

[Of course the films are Peridot's favorite part of the evening, and she stays absorbed in them for most of the party, occasionally bothering her neighbors to ask questions about the plot. Clueless and The Breakfast Club seem to particularly elude her, because she still barely understands "school" despite living through it in Woodhurst and can't imagine why anyone would watch films set there.

The plot of the latter, however, does resonate with her once she gets used to it. ("Oh yes, these people are like gems of a different caste coming together despite society's demands that they not mingle!")

You might also catch her getting a little choked up at Homeward Bound and by the end she's in shouting hysterics about them having to leave Shadow.

Or you might watch her staring blankly through the entirety of Monty Python, never cracking a smile once, her expression puzzled, only to have the movie end and for her to murmur "I don't get it" under her breath.

And when the party is winding down and people have started to relax, you will definitely catch her delighted shriek as RHPS starts and she sings and dances along to it like an overzealous child. IT'S A GOOD MOVIE, BRENT.]

Edited 2017-08-14 17:31 (UTC)

It never fails to surprise me that you learned all the lyrics in one sitting.

[Over the course of the movie (that he specifically put on for her, yes, she's welcome), Mettaton had grasped the edges of his towel and tugged it, with himself still on it, over to her. There are tracks in the sand. And now, he watches his tiny friend with a hand on his chin, half in a state of impressed, big-brother-like pride and half in half in a state of... perplexity. Adoring, proud perplexity.]

You know, if you keep looking at the doctor like that, you're going to make someone jealous.

i: MTT-brand Generic Sad Prompt

[This is not the usual MTT-brand experience.

Yes, there's the pomp and circumstance and fruity drinks. There are campy, fun movies playing on a giant screen he projected half with ALASTAIR technology and half with his own magic. Yes, he's thrown plenty of fist-fulls of glitter into the bonefire. Yes, he's spent a large majority of the time in overly practiced modeling poses (he spent fifteen minutes during The Princess Bride with his legs delicately held in the air, crossed over one another, as if he were sitting in an invisible chair that just got flipped over and just decided to watch the movie from the floor, upside down). It's all very, very much the usual Mettaton.

It's only when he thinks that no one is watching that anything changes. His smile disappears. He twists the Claddagh ring around his finger, back and forth, as he stares past the sand or the waves or the fire. Every unnoticed action is tinted with a sort of mourning, but clearly not for George. It's tired. Quiet. It's not the Mettaton he presents to anyone at all.

It's in the middle of this zoning out that he twists the ring on his finger a little too hard - it bounces right off the thing and arches majestically into the air toward

oh no it's about to hit someone in the head, oh no.]

ii: MTT-Brand Behind the Scenes Coordinator.

[Of course, the life of a host is always busy. There are complaints to funnel, beverages to refill, (literal) fires to put out, movies to switch... It's work! It's nowhere near as much work as managing an entire resort plus studio single-handedly, but it wouldn't be Mettaton if he isn't up for the challenge.

So it shouldn't be surprising to his guest when he calmly walks over to them and points at them with a large spike, dripping with fruit punch.]

You did this.

iii. Wildcard, bring it

Edited 2017-08-18 17:26 (UTC)

[Giorno doesn't really do casual. It's pretty much the opposite of his thing. But he does sort of know what to do at the beach. Having this at a beach, even a fake beach, is actually a huge relief, because it feels like a vague facsimile of home. Why his life can't be a neverending criminal beach episode is lost on him.]

[Anyway, the point is he's not wearing a suit (this time). He's wearing normal person clothes that normal people would wear to a beach party, even. What is potentially even more unusual is that his plus one is not Fugo. It's . . . a puppy. Whom he has conscientiously walked for about two hours before bringing him here, but honestly who doesn't want a puppy at their party? Fools, that's who.]

[Giorno plops Danny down on a blanket at the outskirts of the Party Zone, just in case he has to get up and go to the bathroom later, and watches with perplexed fondness as the puppy immediately falls asleep. His own Gucci eyebags are out in full force today as well, so maybe it's contagious? At least he's in a party-ish mood, if somewhat quieter and more somber than usual. But look, a puppy!]

[Whose still-mostly-closed eyes are later covered by a sniffling Giorno towards the end of Homeward Bound.]

This is the worst!

. . . That's a very on-fire marshmallow.

[The way he says it is somewhere between amused and approving rather than chastising. Look, setting things on fire is a very hooligan thing to do, plus sweets are awesome. He's more of a chocolate kind of guy, but you do get chocolate in s'mores, so he can't be mad.]

[He and Danny plop down ungracefully next to Peridot by the fire as Giorno continues to examine her technique.]

You like them well-done?

Edited (i forgot that coding exists) 2017-08-17 04:46 (UTC)

Peridots are capable of memorizing patterns with minimal effort. Lyrics are exceedingly simple compared to more complex equations and formulas.

[She says it all with manic glee, pinwheeling her arms enthusiastically, only to stop midway through and fluster.] Are you joking me? Feferi has nothing to worry about. But the doctor's confidence is so... so... entrancing.

[She leans forward a bit.] Even if they were a little too, erm... Intense for Earth. It could have been different.

[She pulls the marshmallow out of the flames and examines it gently burning even blacker on her stick.] This isn't how they're supposed to be...

[She's genuinely concerned that she might not be doing this right, but she's momentarily distracted by Doge, and, honestly, maybe the act of ] Your, erm, pet- [yes that's the word]- isn't afraid of the fire?

[because Pumpkin is terrified of it and that is why she isn't here. maybe it's a vegetable thing.]

Haha! [Oh, Peri. That indignant look on her face is worth it every time.]

You mean if everyone were to simply stop dreaming it instead of neglecting to be it? [He's turned onto his side, elbow on the towel, hand propping up his head, and leg stretched up at a 90 degree angle.] ...maybe. But their death is all the more tragic then, isn't it?

[It's about to hit Oliver in the head as it happens.

He was busy with a mouthful of marshmallows (he's had a difficult time recently, okay?), but the sharp flick of metal on the back of his skull has him turning, looking around to try and figure out who just threw something at him.

He looks kind of offended.]

[Of course! Of course he'd ask for a set of rings and IMMEDIATELY lose his own, of COURSE that would happen to Mettaton because--]

...................

[Oh god it hit Oliver.

Mettaton is smiling, but his face has completely blanched. He just hit the man with a crush on him in the head with a ring whose entire purpose is to state that he's taken.]

F--... FANTASTIC catch, Ollie!! [THAT WASN'T INTENTIONAL.] Beautiful, thoughtful, and talented as always! KNEW I could count on you! [FOR WHAT??

He's desperately leaning over and pawing at the sand to reclaim his ring before the other can spot it. As far as Oliver knew, it was a spring!! A loose screw!

...that he doesn't HAVE in this form. DETAILS!!]

...that wasn't really a catch.

[His brow creases, not sure why Mettaton's acting so weird. Whatever he hit him with it was just an accident. It couldn't have been big. He crouches down in the sand, trying to look for anything small that he could have lost.]

What was that?

[Oh, come on, come on, where is it?]

Just a screw, darling. No need to worry yourself! It's cosmetic! For that dangerous robot aesthetic! It's--

[It's in Oliver's pile of marshmallows.

That's fine. It's fine!! If you keep talking and smiling like the most handsome man in the world and sneak your sandy little hand into your friend's treats and claim your ring back, he'll never even know!]

How have you BEEN, darling? Excited to do a little work once the festivities end? Really, I feel like I've been slighted, being told only organic people can use the med-bay. You'd think they'd be technologically advanced enough to not have to send a man to the forge!

I thought this was a physical transformation.

[Mettaton's clearly lying to him, but the reason is not clear to him. Not until Mettaton shoves his hand into the marshmallows he's still holding and he sees the glint of the ring.

It stings more than it should. Probably more so now that his own love life is so complicated. He is happy that his friend has found someone, but it tugs at him in a way that makes it hard not to think about his own confusion.]

Are you engaged now? You didn't tell me.

[Well, he'd clarify that it's not a bad thing to like your food differently than other people like theirs, but--they're talking about Danny now. Danny, the man of the hour. Dog of the hour. Giorno blinks down at him.]

No, not really. He seems not to be scared of very much. He probably likes it near the fire because it's warm and smells like food.

[Danny looks at Peridot and begins to slowly, ponderously wag his tail back and forth. Hello, New Friend.]

[Ugh, of course Oliver's too smart for that. There goes trying to give him the razzle-dazzle.

Mettaton finally snatches his ring and leans back, mouth open and loaded with another lie when--

Are you ENGAGED now?

...the sound that comes out of Mettaton's mouth cannot be described as anything graceful. It's not practiced. It's not a gasp or a chuckle or any cute sound one could make at an honest mistake.

It's a honk. Calling it like it is, it's a honk. A horrible, shrill honk that melds into similarly shrill laughter as his face goes red and he shakes his head, waving a hand in front of himself.]

ENGA- NO!! OH GOODNESS, NO!!! [They're barely getting through being in a RELATIONSHIP!] THIS IS--

[Okay, BREATHE. Control yourself. People are staring and not in the fun way (or even the way you can spin later)!

...Sigh. Okay.

The ring's a cute little thing--sliver, with two hands holding a crowned heart--and significantly less gaudy than one might imagine from Mettaton. Now that he finally has it back in his possession (and out of poor Oliver's snacks), Mettaton slides it back onto his finger. Right hand, heart pointing inward.]

It's just a present. [From him, but details. No one wants to hear him go on and on about his relationship.

...]

So. I see Connor's not with you. [Right now. He hadn't seen the two of them come to the party together, but he's been busy. He might have missed it.]

Mm. [It seems like a very bad time to confess that she sees a great deal of Mettaton in the doctor, which plays some part in why it resonated with her. Well, that and the colors, the boldness of it all, and the fact that it's about aliens and their conflicting views about Earth's potential.

But this slightly melancholy turn for the conversation only serves to remind her of that fact even more, and without preamble or the restraint to not push, Peridot says, abruptly] Mettaton... You've been... strangely subdued lately. It's hard to explain- I'm still not very good with emotional nuance, but I do know when I'm being shut out.

[She was roommates with Lapis once upon a time. It's a whole thing.]

Edited 2017-08-20 23:48 (UTC)

[If it were anyone else in the world, saying that about a man who just scooted himself through the sand while sitting on a towel and is currently laying on his side with a leg in the air... It would have been hilarious.

But it's Mettaton. And, as terrifying as the notion is that he's capable of being even MORE extravagant and exuberant, it's not wrong.]

...Ha. What could I possibly be shutting you out OF, peanut?

[It's. Also not entirely something he wants to talk to anyone about.]

[To be fair, it's not like she eats anyway, but dogs. Only dogs now. And a marshmallow that is back in the fire burning itself into oblivion, while Peridot studies Danny.] That would explain why Pumpkin doesn't like it. She technically is food to some people.

[Though it is a bit strange to see her little gourd dog's mannerisms in something more decidedly doglike.] ALASTAIR decided I needed a living vegetable as a companion.

I don't know! That's the point. [Yes, he's being ridiculous, but it's not the normal brand of ridiculousness that she expects from him. It's been going on for awhile now, but she can't pinpoint an exact time, because, well... She's been a bit in her own head too, but she got out of it! And Mettaton and Giorno and Joseph helped her do it.

So she needs Mettaton to get out of his funk too, because... she just does.] There's something wrong and I don't know what it is. Friends are supposed to talk about their feelings, aren't they?

[She draws her knees up to her chest.] If they're overly complicated or difficult to explain, I understand that. We could sort them out together.

[...

A beat. There's an audible click as Mettaton's eyes flick from Peridot's face to the screen. Dr. Frank-n-furter's body is floating lifeless in a pool.

There's a stinging in the back of his core that's telling him to lash out. To change the subject again. To get up and leave. Friends talk about their feelings, yes. They explain themselves. He's listened to Peridot plenty of times. He's listened to everyone plenty of times. It's what he does.

...it's letting people flip the script that's the problem.

People don't like him because he's flawed or relatable. They like an entertainer who's endlessly kind and bright. They like glamour and glitter and fame. They don't want to hear him go on and on about anything on the inside -- it sets expectations. It shows weaknesses, like flashing little tells waiting to be struck and taken advantage of. Worse, it's disappointing.

Peridot doesn't need to be weighed down by someone else's guilt. He's trying to be a better person. He can't do that to her.

So he smiles. He smiles brighter than he's managed all night, projected sparkles illuminating his face. Is this the look of a man hiding something?] Thank you, Peri. Of course I know I can talk to you. [He can't.] And I promise, if there's ever something wrong, I will! I'm just a bit tired. [That's not entirely a lie.] We've been through quite a bit these past few months, haven't we?

How have you been hanging in there?

[ Meanwhile, Feferi has not had the honor of ever really participating in a campfire before. Yes, she knows what a fire is, and why it burns, but there weren't a whole lot of them under the sea, and even fewer marshmallows. It's only natural that she's going to cozy right up to Peridot, but as she flops down next to her, she's briefly distracted by... whatever that thing is, on the stick. ]

What's that? I think you burned it.

[Oliver winces at the horrible sound, gaze focused on the grains of sand that are scattered over what's left of his snacks.]

It's nice. I'm glad things are working out for you guys.

[If he sounds a little flat... well. It's easy to blame Connor for that. In fact, most of the reason for it can probably be contributed to him. Their situation is complicated, and Oliver has no idea how he should be dealing with this.]

...I invited him.

[That's all he has to say on that. Connor isn't here yet, but he hopes that he will be.]

[It does sound flat. Mettaton's professional enough to not wince, but his fingers curl inward, just slightly. He smiles as he pulls away, sitting properly on his towel.

He twists the ring on his finger with his thumb, then covers the repetitive motion with his other hand.]

As a friend?

...I don't know.

[It had been his intention, at least partially, when he'd first done it. But when it comes to Connor nothing's ever cut and dry. It's hard to view him only as a friend when he's still so in love with him.

He shrugs, dropping the leftover marshmallows into a bag set aside for discarded food.]

It doesn't matter. He probably won't come anyway.

[...hm. Honestly, Mettaton only brought the man up to change the subject off of himself, but. Since he's here...

It's not the first time he's played "crush meditator." It won't be the last.

Mettaton lays down and gets comfortable on his towel, chin resting on his folded arms and legs lazily kicking behind himself.]

Is there a story behind that or is he just not a movie fan?

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so sue me if i'd like to live on island time for a change (OTA)

PERIDOT | OTA

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Mettaton | OTA

giorno giovanna | ota

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